7A Area 4 Championship: Auburn vs Central Phenix

Area 4 has long been controlled by Central Phenix City — until this season. Auburn has quietly pieced together an impressive run, navigating a few surprising losses but steadily building momentum at the right time. That growth paid off Thursday night as Auburn captured the Area 4 Championship with a 62–54 victory.   Once again, [player_tooltip player_id='568877' first='Kayden' last='Carr'] delivered a stellar performance, stepping up in key moments to lead the charge. Central Phenix was paced by UCF commit Jabari Lindsey, who competed and produced as she has throughout her standout career.    [player_tooltip player_id='568877' first='Kayden' last='Carr'] | JR | Combo Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='568877' first='Kayden' last='Carr'] delivered a statement performance, finishing with 25 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter to close out the game. She proved she's built for pressure, taking control late and scoring at all three levels — from deep range, the mid-range pull-up, and strong finishes at the rim. As a combo guard, she balanced scoring with playmaking, making timely reads and creating opportunities for her teammates.   Carr impacted the game beyond the box score, crashing the boards and securing key rebounds in critical moments. Defensively, she stayed active, applying pressure on the perimeter and competing on every possession. Her two-way presence and clutch mentality make her a player you trust when the game is on the line. Competitive, poised, and relentless — [player_tooltip player_id='568877' first='Kayden' last='Carr'] is a difference maker.     [player_tooltip player_id='1233440' first='Braylee' last='Winfrey'] | SR | Guard | SFA Commit   [player_tooltip player_id='1233440' first='Braylee' last='Winfrey'] finished with 13 points, bringing her trademark toughness and competitiveness to the floor. An aggressive scorer, she attacks gaps with confidence and looks to put pressure on the defense every possession.   A true two-way player, Winfrey makes her presence felt defensively with active hands and relentless energy on the ball. She competes on the glass, rebounding her position and fighting for extra possessions.   Her motor and intensity consistently impact winning plays on both ends of the floor.     Bella Paul | SR | Forward   Bella Paul dominated inside with 14 points in the paint, establishing her presence early and often. She led the team in rebounds, playing with relentless effort and toughness on the glass. Paul consistently created second-chance opportunities and finished through contact around the rim. Her physicality and motor set the tone for her team's interior play.     Jabari Lindsey | SR | Guard | UCF Commit   Jabari Lindsey poured in 22 points to lead Central Phenix City, reminding everyone why she's one of the most decorated scorers in the state. Known as a walking bucket with over 3,000 career points, Lindsey has built her reputation on putting the ball in the basket at all three levels. Even after missing 80% of this season, her rhythm, confidence, and scoring instincts remain elite.   What separated her performance was her playmaking. Lindsey also led her team in assists, threading passes through heavy traffic that very few guards even attempt. Her vision and creativity — especially in tight spaces — are very Chelsea Gray-like, manipulating defenders and delivering on-time, on-target dimes. A proven scorer with next-level feel, Lindsey impacts winning far beyond just points.     Marlicia Smith | SO | Wing   Marlicia Smith finished with 10 points for Central Phenix City, doing most of her damage attacking the basket. She applied steady pressure on the defense, getting downhill and finishing through contact. Smith played with confidence and physicality, taking advantage of driving lanes when they opened. Her ability to slash and score added valuable balance to the offense.

Area 4 has long been controlled by Central Phenix City — until this season. Auburn has quietly pieced together an impressive run, navigating a few surprising losses but steadily building momentum at the right time. That growth paid off Thursday night as Auburn captured the Area 4 Championship with a 62–54 victory.